Greens launch video to stop nuclear waste storage

by Greens' MLC Mark Parnell

August 5th, 2016 11:00 am

A powerful online video detailing the significantly risky and expensive proposal to store international high level nuclear waste in South Australia has been launched at the start of a three month public consultation period.

Narrated by Australian Greens co-deputy leader and spokesperson on nuclear issues, Senator Scott Ludlam, the video outlines the disastrous plan to import the most dangerous and long lived industrial waste in the world and store it in South Australia.

“South Australians have an enormous decision to make. This material needs to be isolated from humans and the environment for least 100,000 years and will affect every future generation of Australians,” he said.

“We are hoping this video can highlight some of the core facts of the waste dump proposal and help South Australians ask the right questions when considering it in the upcoming consultation process.”

Greens SA Parliamentary Leader, Mark Parnell MLC said the economic risks were huge, with already a number of projects around the world being developed only to be abandoned later.

“There is no guarantee that this project would work. The upfront costs are $300- $600 million of SA tax payer’s money, before contracts would be signed or locations identified – this proposal is not just risky – it is madness,” he said.

“To move forward with the proposal would be to gamble with our economy, gamble with our environment and gamble with the future of every South Australian. We should consider what $300 - $600 million could do to develop advanced manufacturing in SA or expand the already growing renewable energy sector in SA. We need secure investment in SA that will bring jobs in industries that are safe for workers and our environment.”

Fact Box:· 138,000 tonnes will imported over a 70 year period· Or 200-250 tonnes per month· It needs to be stored for at least 100,000 years· 70,000 tonnes will be stored above ground in the open air for three decades before the disposal facility is built, after which the high level waste will be stored underground – forever.